On November 6, 2011 an estimated 5,000 pipeline opponents are expected to arrive in Washington D.C. to encircle the White House, demanding that President Obama say no to the pipeline. Hollywood actor Robert Redford has lent his name to the cause in a recent online video.

Nebraskan legislators remain undeterred in their opposition to the pipeline after being offered a $100 million performance bond and other oil spill protection measures from TransCanada. Many Nebraskans fear the pipeline, which would run through Nebraska, could threaten aquifers. Republican Governor of Nebraska Dave Heineman has convened a special session of the state's legislature to consider imposing restrictions on the route of the pipeline.

The US State Department is slated to decide on the controversial project by the end of 2011, but many feel the State Department in biased in favour of the pipeline. The US Environmental Protection Agency has repeatedly challenged the State Department's environmental evaluation of the pipeline. These criticisms have been buoyed by revelations the company who provided the Keystone XL environmental impact assessment (EIA) has financial connections with TransCanada Pipelines.

In a November 2, 2011 television interview with Omaha's KETV President Obama strongly suggested he will make the decision about the Keystone XL oil sands pipeline. This is a sharp change from the President's previous statements that the decision rested with the State Department.